NEW YORK – Carlos Rodón is approaching the final checkpoint of his recovery from left elbow surgery performed in October after making a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday at Worcester.
Rodón pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits (including two homers) and two walks while striking out four. He threw 49 of 83 pitches for strikes.
Before the Yankees faced the Rangers at Yankee Stadium, manager Aaron Boone said Rodón’s next outing could be in the Majors. A healthy Rodón would replace right-hander Elmer Rodríguez in the rotation, likely during New York's series against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Rodón has made three Minor League rehab starts, permitting seven runs (six earned) over 16 innings for a 3.38 ERA.
The Yankees’ No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Rodríguez made his second Major League start Tuesday against the Rangers.
Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole also made a Minor League rehab start for High-A Hudson Valley on Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings against Winston-Salem as he recovers from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2025. Cole threw 69 pitches (49 strikes).
Boone indicated Cole remains “a little bit of a ways away” from big league action; the Yanks have forecast Cole’s return for late May or early June. Tuesday was Cole’s fourth Minor League rehab start.
In additional Yankees injury updates, first baseman Ben Rice (left hand contusion) remained out of the lineup for a second consecutive game, recovering after being hit awkwardly with a throw on Sunday.
Rice said he sensed improvement and would attempt to hit indoors on Tuesday, hoping to be available off the bench to pinch-hit.
Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) has yet to resume running, according to Boone, who said Stanton has been hitting indoors.
“It still feels minor, but he’s not ready to push it yet,” Boone said.